India, Japan discuss strengthening defence cooperation
Tokyo, Aug 7 (IANS) India and Japan on Friday held discussions on further strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations.
The discussions were held during a meeting between India’s Ambassador to Japan Nagma Mallick and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.
“Ambassador Malik paid a courtesy call on Minister of Defence Shinjiro Koizumi and exchanged views on opportunities to further strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries,” the Indian Embassy in Japan posted on X.
Koizumi stated that defence cooperation between India and Japan is essential for both nations and for the peace and stability of the region and the world.
“On August 7, Defence Minister Koizumi received a courtesy call from Malik, the Indian Ambassador to Japan. The defence cooperation between Japan and India, which is based on the Indo-Pacific, is essential not only for both countries but also for the peace and stability of the region and the world. The Ministry of Defence and the Self-Defense Forces will further deepen defence cooperation between Japan and India,” Japan’s Ministry of Defence wrote on X.
On July 16, Koizumi attended a reception at the residence of Ambassador Mallick, with both sides pledging to strengthen defence ties between the two nations.
“Attended a reception at the Indian Ambassador’s Residence tonight. Pledged with Ambassador Nagma Mohammadi Malik to strengthen Japan-India defence ties,” Koizumi posted on X.
On July 13, India and Japan held the 8th Defence Policy Dialogue in Tokyo and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in emerging domains, including defence industrial collaboration, technological innovation, cyber security, space, and other areas of shared strategic interest.
The two sides also expressed satisfaction with the growing convergence between India and Japan on regional and global security issues and agreed to continue working closely in the Indo-Pacific, the Ministry of Defence stated.
The two countries reiterated their commitment to promoting a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region founded on respect for international law. For the meeting, the Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the Japanese delegation was led by Vice Minister of Defence for International Affairs Kano Koji. Both sides discussed the prevailing regional and global security environment and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.
“The dialogue reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral defence engagements, including military-to-military exchanges, co-operation between joint headquarters, maritime cooperation, defence exercises, capacity building, defence equipment and technology cooperation including maritime technology, and enhanced institutional interactions,” the Ministry of Defence stated.
During his visit to Japan, Rajesh Kumar Singh met Shinjiro Koizumi and conveyed greetings of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The two sides reaffirmed the growing momentum of India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
–IANS
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